SHALIMAR, Fla., Jan. 5, 2021–Former Administrations Bureau Major Eric Aden was officially sworn in today as the new Okaloosa County sheriff.

Okaloosa County’s Clerk of Court J.D. Peacock, also a former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputy, performed the ceremony.

Aden ran unopposed for the seat, putting him in charge of an agency with 459 sworn officers and civilian personnel. 

He said becoming sheriff is the greatest honor of his life and his goals are to build on OCSO’s current success as a state and nationally accredited agency that enjoys outstanding community support. 

Aden credited outgoing Sheriff Larry Ashley, saying he brought great integrity to the office and called him “one of the greatest leaders I’ve ever known.”

“We will draw the line in the sand and hold that line to protect our citizens from evil,” he said. “It’s what they want and expect and we will provide it.” 

The new OCSO undersheriff is Charlie Nix and the new chief deputy is Ken LaPee. 

OCSO news release